About

Ria Tobaccowala is an award-winning writer and director. Her films have premiered at festivals around the world, including Tribeca Film Festival. In 2024, HBO acquired a collection of her short films: Shadows, Life After, and User Zero. Each film centers on women at critical moments of self-invention. They are available to stream on MAX and HBO’s channels.

Raised on Chicago's South Side as a first-generation American, Ria often explores themes of freedom, family, and multiculturalism in her work. She was selected as a finalist for the Shondaland Women Directing Mentorship program. Her narrative essay, The Patriot Act and Me, was published in New York Magazine. Her pilot script, Harpoon, has placed in several screenplay competitions and is on the Coverfly Red List for top TV Dramas. Recently, Ria wrote for an upcoming Apple TV+ series. She has also contributed to shows like Pachinko and Alaska Daily. 

She is currently developing projects for television and writing her first feature film.

Prior to her life as a filmmaker, Ria worked at Google. With a passion for storytelling and technology, Ria developed content partnerships with the New York Times, Fox, and NBC. Ria produced the 2015 YouTube interview with President Obama. She received her BA in Economics from Harvard University, MFA from the Graduate Film Program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and MBA from NYU Stern School of Business.

Beyond her love for telling a good story, Ria is an advocate for underrepresented voices. She has launched and managed talent incubator programs, and serves as a co-chair of the WGAE Asian American Salon.

Representation

WME | Grace Buting, Erin Junkin | (310) 285-9000

MAKE GOOD Content | Paul Young | (310) 499-2879